If you’ve sat through a marathon of the Hotel Transylvania movies with a bowl of popcorn and a confusing sense of déjà vu, you aren't alone. One minute you're listening to the iconic, neurotic, "blah-blah-blah" energy of a specific Saturday Night Live legend, and the next, something feels... different. It’s subtle, but it’s there. You start wondering if your ears are playing tricks on you.
So, who voices Dracula in Hotel Transylvania? For the vast majority of the franchise's life, that voice belonged to Adam Sandler. He didn't just voice the character; he basically birthed the guy's entire personality. But then 2022 rolled around with Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, and suddenly, the credits looked different. Sandler was out. Brian Hull was in.
It was a weird moment for fans. Usually, when a massive A-list star exits a billion-dollar franchise, there’s a giant press release or a public feud. This was quieter. It was a passing of the torch that left a lot of people scratching their heads while their kids just kept watching the screen, blissfully unaware that the Prince of Darkness had undergone a literal vocal cord transplant.
The Adam Sandler Era: More Than Just a Funny Voice
Adam Sandler’s fingerprints are all over the first three films. He voiced Count Dracula in Hotel Transylvania (2012), Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015), and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018).
Honestly, Sandler's Dracula is a masterclass in "Dad Energy." He took the most feared monster in history and turned him into an overprotective, helicopter parent who is terrified of his daughter Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez) growing up. It worked because it was relatable.
Sandler also served as an executive producer on those first three movies. That's a huge detail people often miss. He wasn't just a guy showing up to a booth for four hours to read lines. He was deeply involved in the creative direction, the casting of his "Happy Madison" regulars like Kevin James (Frankenstein) and David Spade (Griffin the Invisible Man), and the overall comedic timing.
The voice itself? It’s a caricature of Bela Lugosi, sure, but with that specific Sandler whine. It’s high-pitched when he’s nervous and growly when he’s "zinging." By the time the third movie made over $528 million worldwide, Sandler’s voice was the brand.
The Big Switch: Enter Brian Hull
When the trailer for Hotel Transylvania: Transformania dropped, the internet did what it does best: it started investigating. People noticed Drac sounded about 95% the same, but that last 5% felt like a very talented impressionist.
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That’s because it was.
Brian Hull officially took over the role of Dracula for the fourth and final film in the main series. If you spend any time on YouTube, you might already know who Brian Hull is. He’s a voice actor and impressionist who went viral years ago for singing Disney songs in dozens of different character voices. He’s incredibly talented.
But how did a YouTube star end up replacing one of the biggest movie stars on the planet?
Interestingly, Hull had already "test-driven" the character. He voiced Dracula in the short film Monster Pets earlier in 2021. The fans reacted well. He nailed the cadence. He got the "v" sounds just right. When it came time for the full feature film, Sony Pictures Animation decided to stick with him.
Why did Adam Sandler leave Hotel Transylvania?
This is the question that keeps Google busy. Why walk away from a winning formula?
The truth is a bit boring, which is probably why people try to invent drama. Neither Sandler nor Sony has ever come out and cited a specific "creative difference" or a falling out. Instead, it seems to be a mix of two very practical things:
- The Netflix Deal: Adam Sandler has a massive, multi-year deal with Netflix. Hotel Transylvania is a Sony property. Scheduling conflicts between his massive live-action slate (think Hustle or Spaceman) and the long lead times required for animation often create friction.
- A Shift in Direction: For the fourth movie, Genndy Tartakovsky (the visionary director of the first three) moved into a writing and executive producing role, handing the directing reins to Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon. Sometimes, when the creative guard changes, the talent does too.
Director Derek Drymon mentioned in interviews around the release of Transformania that the plot of the fourth movie—where Dracula turns into a human—actually made the transition easier. Since the character was physically changing, a slight shift in the "vibe" of the voice felt narratively forgivable.
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Did anyone else leave the cast?
Dracula wasn't the only one who got a makeover. Kevin James, who voiced Frankenstein (Frank) in the first three movies, also didn't return for the fourth. He was replaced by Brad Abrell.
Abrell is a seasoned voice acting vet. You’ve heard him in Men in Black and various video games. Like Hull, he did a fantastic job of mimicking the established tone, but for eagle-eyed (or eagle-eared) fans, the absence of that specific Sandler-James chemistry was noticeable.
The rest of the core "Pack" stayed mostly intact:
- Selena Gomez stayed on as Mavis (and even took an executive producer credit).
- Andy Samberg returned as the lovable, goofy Johnny.
- Steve Buscemi kept howling as Wayne the werewolf.
- David Spade remained the Invisible Man.
Is there a Hotel Transylvania TV show?
If you’re watching the Hotel Transylvania TV series on Disney+ or Netflix, you’re hearing a third person entirely.
In the animated series, which serves as a prequel focusing on Mavis's teenage years, Dracula is voiced by David Berni. Berni has a massive resume in Canadian animation. Since the show has a completely different visual style—2D flash animation instead of the high-end 3D renders of the films—the voice change feels more natural there. It’s its own universe.
How Brian Hull Prepared for the Role
Stepping into Adam Sandler’s shoes is an intimidating task. Hull has been vocal about his respect for what Sandler built. He didn't try to reinvent Dracula; he tried to honor the version fans already loved.
To get the voice right, Hull didn't just do an impression of a vampire. He did an impression of Adam Sandler doing a vampire.
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That involves a very specific "lip-heavy" way of speaking. Sandler’s Dracula has a lot of "mush" in the mouth, a specific way of dragging out vowels, and a tendency to jump into a "shout-whisper" when he’s stressed. Hull studied the first three films meticulously to ensure that when kids sat down to watch the fourth one, they wouldn't feel like their favorite character had disappeared.
Comparing the Draculas
| Feature | Adam Sandler (Movies 1-3) | Brian Hull (Movie 4) | David Berni (TV Series) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tone | Grumbly, iconic, slightly "New York" | Energetic, precise mimicry | More formal, traditional cartoon style |
| Energy | High-strung "Dad" energy | Frantic "Human-out-of-water" | Supportive but background father figure |
| Vibe | The "Star" of the show | Part of an ensemble | Supporting character to Mavis |
The Legacy of the Voice
Does it matter who voices Dracula? To the box office, maybe a little. To the kids? Probably not.
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania still performed incredibly well when it skipped theaters and headed straight to Amazon Prime Video. It proved that the world Genndy Tartakovsky and Adam Sandler built was strong enough to survive a casting change.
However, there is a nuance that Sandler brought—a certain "sad clown" pathos—that is hard to replicate. Sandler is great at playing characters who are deeply lonely but hide it behind anger or jokes. Hull brought the jokes, but some critics felt the emotional "heaviness" of Drac was slightly lighter in the final installment.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
As of now, the main film series is considered "wrapped" with the fourth movie. But Hollywood loves a known IP. There have been talks about spin-offs or further television adventures.
If the character returns, it’s highly likely Brian Hull will be the one in the recording booth. He has proven he can carry the mantle, and honestly, he’s much more affordable for a studio than a guy who commands $20 million per movie.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Voice Actors:
- Watch the credits: If you want to train your ear, watch Hotel Transylvania 3 and Transformania back-to-back. Listen specifically to the way Dracula says "Mavis." Sandler tends to drop the "s" slightly, while Hull hits it a bit sharper.
- Follow the journey: If you're interested in how Brian Hull made the jump from YouTube to a lead role in a major franchise, his social media channels are a goldmine. It’s a rare look at how "fan-made" content can eventually lead to a professional career.
- Check out the shorts: Don't miss Monster Pets. It’s a five-minute short that serves as the bridge between the two actors and shows exactly why Sony felt comfortable making the switch.
Basically, while Adam Sandler will always be the "OG" Drac, Brian Hull is the one keeping the cape flying for the next generation. It’s a rare case where a replacement actually worked out for everyone involved. No drama, just a change in the voice behind the fangs.